The volleyball team lost to Palo Alto High School (Paly) 0-3 today, October 4. It was a tough loss as the Eagles fought hard against a very experienced team.

In the first game, the team fell 16-25. After coming out strong, Los Altos held a 2 point lead going into the 21st point. Palo Alto went on a 5-point scoring run, and the Eagles couldn’t reel the game back in. Despite hard play, where Los Altos dove for balls and held on to rallies, Palo Alto outscored the Eagles 11-4 in the final points of the game to take a 1-0 lead.

Los Altos stayed on par with the Vikings as the second game started out 2-2. However, Paly took the lead with a quick burst, coming ahead 10-5. Despite several timeout calls, the Eagles couldn’t come back to regain a lead. Los Altos scored 10 more points as Paly won the game 25-15.

“In the first and second game they really out-hustled us,”  junior Meghan McDermott said. “They wanted it more and that showed in the game.”

In the third game, the teams remained evenly paced until the tenth minute, where Paly went on a run scoring five to Los Altos’ one. Los Altos took a timeout as Paly led 20-15, and was able to come back, cutting Paly’s lead to 21-19.

“The third game we really picked it up and we started playing with more heart,” junior Meghan McDermott said.

Paly was able to regain control, however, and sealed the third game 25-21.

“Palo Alto’s got years of experience with being successful and everything,” head coach Peter said. “We have a lot of young players and they’re asked to get a lot of playing time right now, and step up when we graduated a lot of kids last year. It’s tough, they’re learning as they’re playing.”

Despite the Eagles’ loss, the game had a broader purpose as well: helping to raise money for breast cancer. Both teams wore pink warm up shirts and fans could donate money to Side-Out Foundation. In addition, fans could pledge a certain amount of money per dig.

Los Altos will look to rebound in their next game will be at home against Lynbrook High School on Tuesday, October 9 at 6:45 p.m.

[Photos by Juliet Moore]